Sometimes I’ll sit in front of the computer in an attempt to spark an idea. Sometimes that works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

I’ll flip from site to site, Google this, Google that. Sometimes I find whatever it is that is the key to making my next move, but sometimes I find nothing but wasted time.

Yesterday I sat by the front window of our home and looked out the window in that way that you’re looking but not really looking at anything. Kind of a cross-eyed kind of stare.

I sat down with my (paper) notebook and a pen….and my Blackberry as calculator. I just chose my thoughts and let them get to work. Clouds past, kids ran across our garden, dogs peed on our tree. Then something amazing happened.

Things got clearer. I was able to fully visualize what I was trying to work out in my head.

Computers and the Interweb are amazing tools, but they’re just that…tools. Unless you know what you’re going to do or what you’re looking for, they’re just big time wasters.

If you’re stuck for ideas, or perhaps you’re having a hard time going forward on a project, go for a coffee, mow the lawn (or shovel the snow as I would here currently) or just sit by the window and let your thoughts go.

Everything’s gonna be alllllright. Just put the mouse down and step away from the computer…..for a little bit anyway.

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